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In 2016, the Bristol region exported machinery and transport equipment with a £14.9bn worth.

Other manufacturing industries - such as prefabricated buildings, sanitary, furniture, footwear, professional, scientific and controlling instruments and apparatus - account for 12 per cent of the total exports from England or £2.6bn.

Given that the government will be spending months trying to work out new post-Brexit trading arrangements with Europe, where could possible alternative markets for the South West be?

North America is currently the second biggest trade partner.

Last year, exports to the America accounted for 18 per cent of the £21.5bn of global exports, or £3.8bn worth

Yesterday, during a press conference, the White House spokesman told reporters that Donald Trump was “a leader in the effort to call for Brexit”.

That would appear to put Great Britain in a strong position to boost trade with America in case of a so-called “hard Brexit”.